But guess what? Your end users aren’t listening. These devices will be on your network soon, if they’re not already. Record-breaking first-weekend sales and a weeks-long order backlog are proof that, despite the collective yawn from flinty analysts, the iPhone 5 delivered what the increasingly accurate supply chain rumor mill predicted, and the general public hasn’t outgrown its lust for Apple gadgets.

While the iPhone 5 is undeniably evolutionary, it also demonstrates that keeping up with (and in a few cases, pushing) the march of smartphone component technology, ­coupled with a lot of little OS changes, equals a demonstrably superior product. The 5 is much faster, slimmer and lighter than the 4S while improving on its previously state-of-the-art display and camera. And while iOS 6 giveth (Passbook, FaceTime, feature additions to virtually every built-in app) and taketh away (Google Maps, YouTube), on balance it too is a notable improvement.

In this report we’ll analyze both the hardware and software highlights from the new iPhone with an eye on features most useful to enterprises, quantify performance ­improvements with hands-on test results, and wrap with some recommendations for business managers and IT pros evaluating the revamped iPhone lineup. (S5931012)